Belfast Magistrates' Court heard that police were called to a house in Russell Court on February 20, and that when they arrived they found an injured woman in the living room.

The victim had sustained a number of injuries, and was found with a bloody mouth and a bruised forehead.

The defendant was later arrested in connection with the attack. During police interviews, the 45-year-old refused to comment on the incident.

When asked by District Judge Fiona Bagnall about his client's "distinct lack of remorse", defence counsel Luke Curran replied that McBlain apologised for the police having to come between two siblings involved in a "heated" argument.

Mr Curran said his client maintained that she was struck first by her sister, and that she acted in self-defence.

However, he added that she also admitted she then went "further than self-defence".